In Memory of Jeremy J. Brigham (October 2, 1943-July 27, 2026)
We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Dr. Jeremy J. Brigham, who died on July 27, 2026, at the age of 82.
Jeremy was born on October 2, 1943, in Concord, Massachusetts. He was the middle of three sons born to the Rev. John W. Brigham, a Unitarian minister, and Anna Louise (Dege) Brigham.
Jeremy graduated from Antioch College in Ohio in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion. There, he met his wife, Selma. They were married that same year at the First Unitarian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Following graduation, Jeremy pursued his calling to Unitarian Universalist ministry and enrolled at Meadville Lombard Theological School. He was motivated to deepen his understanding of humanity, cultivate empathy for marginalized people, and inspire and mentor future generations of ministers. He believed congregations had an important role to play in the social and political realm of their communities and recognized that many challenges in the wider world could be addressed only through the collective efforts of like-minded people working together, both within and beyond the church congregation. In 1971, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree.
The Rev. Dr. Brigham was ordained on March 20, 1972, by the Valley UU Congregation in Tempe, Arizona, where he served from 1971 to 1976. He subsequently served as a settled minister at the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati, Ohio (1976–1981); the Franklin Unitarian Fellowship in Reynoldsburg, Ohio (1981–1984); The People’s Church UU in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1984–1992); and the UU Fellowship of Dubuque, Iowa (1991–1994).
After more than two decades in parish ministry, Rev. Dr. Brigham followed his interest in geography and the social sciences, earning a PhD. in Social and Political Geography from the University of Iowa in 1997. He served as an adjunct assistant professor in International Programs at the university and worked with international students. He also taught geography as an adjunct instructor at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids for several years and developed a course on the geography of Iowa.
His work extended into education and health care. In 1982 and 1983, he led the Human Awareness Course for medical and nursing students at the University of Cincinnati Medical School. He also taught Health Care Ethics at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights and served as a chaplain for Bethesda Hospitals in Cincinnati, Ohio (1983).
Jeremy was active in community organizations, including the United Nations Association of Linn County, the African American Museum of Iowa, and the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, etc. He was also committed to preventing gun violence in Iowa, serving as a leader in the Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence. He was interested in international peace, particularly in the Middle East. He travelled to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan along with other Unitarian Universalists, meeting with regional leaders and engaging with issues facing the area.
Jeremy is survived by his wife, Selma; his children, Emily, Elizabeth (Mark), and Sophie (Bill); his brothers, Larry (Mary) and Daniel (Donna); eleven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on August 8, 2026, at Brosh Chapel, 2121 Bowling St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Peoples Church UU, 4980 Gordon Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, or to Iowans for Gun Safety, P.O. Box 8834, Cedar Rapids, IA 52408.
Notes of condolence may be mailed to:
Selma Brigham
455 16th Ave. SE #221
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401